A Sickening Feeling

Jolene busied herself putting all the groceries away bought from Walmart in Sweet Water. I went outside to give some instructions to Tyler who had just turned up to do his stint of work, even if a bit late.

Tyler turns up at last

 Johnny got ready to depart in that battered truck of his. I wish he would trade it in for a newer model. How I wished it would just 'die' on him, and go to that big scrap  yard in the sky...if there was such a place. I had bigger dreams, bigger plans for this place and I felt like that truck was kinda letting the side down. What I was now dreaming of and hoping for, was for this trail riding to become a reality and soon.
Did I tell you about that piece of land I had bought ? No ? Well about 2 weeks ago I struck a deal and bought some land adjoining my place which would be used purely for grazing American Quarter Horses on. Around 5 or 6 of them I reckon, either I'd buy or loan them.
 "Hey Kyle." called out Jolene. I turned and walked towards her. "My boss just rung me. Seems I'm not needed till tomorrow," she smirked, "You know what ?" She put her arms around me. "Maybe we could go out for a drink and a bite to eat...and -"
 "Yeah, you're about to say you can stay over...right ?" I gave her a playful grin.
 "Um...Kate's not due to call round is she ?"
 "Oh look here she comes now !" I joked. Jolene shot around looking till she realized I was having a joke. I continued, " Um, no, shes away till the weekend...something to do with her volunteer work with disadvantaged kids." I added, then...pointing to Tyler, "And he's one of her ...projects."
Tyler had been on trial if you want to call it that, but I kept him on as he turned out okay. He was gonna enrol in art school or try and win a scholarship to qualify...but until then he was staying put. I had seen some of his work and I'm no artist, but it seemed very promising to me.

4 of the 'oldies'

Oh, whats this ? A mini bus was grinding it's way up my drive. I signaled to Tyler, but he just shrugged his shoulders in a 'it ain't got nothing to do with me', kinda way. I went over to the bus as 8, um, aged people in their late 60's to early 70's, I guess, descended gingerly, chatting away and helping each other along.
Addressing me one elderly lady says, "Oh what a quaint place you have here," then turning to one of the equally elderly men says," Don't you think so Burt ?" Burt nodded.
"Well thank you Ma'am." I said politely. I gave her a puzzled look nevertheless, I managed to continue,"Have you, um, booked up for...for a...ride ?"
Tyler was listening with an amusing look on his face. Had he really not got anything to do with this or was he just musing over my predicament I was in ?

Where's my mount ?

The elderly lady cackled a loud laugh and began,"Of course dear. Didn't my Johnny tell you ? I'm sure he made a booking for us. Said it would be no trouble. I'm sure he wrote it down." Then pushing me aside she said, "But not to worry, where's my mount ?"
A little flustered, Jolene, Tyler and I managed to get them on the horses. They seemed satisfied with just walking the horses in the manege, whooping and laughing like kids. Highly amusing !
Later that evening as the horses were settled for the night, and Tyler willing to stay on late to lock the stables up, Jolene and I went out for a drink and a bite to eat at the 'Stroppy Mare' in town.
On returning, a cop car passed us, lights flashing, sirens blaring. Someones in trouble, I thought. 

Sirens blaring

It wasn't until turning up into my drive that I realized that the police car had come to a stop at my farm. What on earth was the situation here ? A sickening feeling came to my stomach as all kinds of things went through my mind. To cut it short, Bill and Hilary, my neigbors across the way had seen lights and heard noises from my place when there shouldn't of been any. Life had taken some meat with a drug to knock her out and the barn doors were wide open minus the saddles and bridles. Had Tyler locked up right ? 

Was your barn securely locked up sir ?

Colt Seabers the local Deputy Sheriff had made a search and found 3 saddles behind the outside hay storage place which I was a little grateful for.The rest... well I hope whoever did this is found or rots in hell. And I don't mind which ever way round comes first !!